STOKE have completed their septet for the 2019 campaign with the signing of the popular Yorkshireman Paul Burnett who returns to Loomer Road for a fourth successive season.

New team manager Adam Isherwood commented “Paul (Burnett) is Mr. Dependable and will go into the side at number 2 a position he did well on during the early part of last season and we know he is more than capable of doing a good job for us. Paul is quiet but gets on with his job effectively and completes what we believe is a strong and balanced team throughout and with the youngsters at the bottom of the team he will help with the stability at the lower end of the side which is just as important as the top end of the side as we’ve seen so often against us and I’m delighted he’s back with us in 2019 as I know our supporters will be as he has become a firm fans favourite.”

Burnett joins the Potters on a 3.69 average putting the side close to the 36-point limit teams have to build to with the team coming to 35.94.

Promoter Dave Tattum said “I’m delighted to have the team all in place and ready for the new season before Christmas which hasn’t happened very often before for us. There is a great buzz around the place and supporters are pleased with the team we have put together and everyone would love the season to start now. We couldn’t get much closer to the 36-point limit either being just 0.06 off and we all feel that we have the right balance in the team and that everyone is capable of adding to their starting average.”